Winners: Jessie Grenvold and Georgie Horjus
Grenvold and Horjus represent two puzzle pieces which will be crucial for Australia at next year’s Netball World Cup in Sydney. Grenvold controversially missed out on the Diamonds’ Commonwealth Games squad, and instead debuted in the Constellation Cup opener in Auckland. The defender has been a revelation, looking perhaps the most threatening against Nweke as anyone has in recent memory. Grenvold made seven gains in Sydney and another four in Melbourne, making her a constant threat to the New Zealand feeders.
Georgie Horjus is generally a speedy wing attack, but looks to have found an unlikely home at goal attack. The 172cm shooter slotted 26 goals at 92.9% in game four, and was arguably Australia’s best player across the series. The Diamonds attackers initially struggled to shoot over Jackson, so it seems strange their shortest option would have the most success. Horjus’ deadly accuracy gives Australia a dynamic moving circle.
Loser: Sydney crowd
Maddy Gordon’s blatant mocking of the Sydney crowd in test three was arguably the moment of the series. Forced to make a comeback in the fourth quarter, New Zealand were also battling the Australian crowd’s attempts to influence the match officials. Gordon won the ball on the ground despite Amy Parmenter’s attempts to wrestle it back, and the crowd immediately booed the umpire’s decision. The Kiwi midcourter’s patience with the Aussie supporters wore thin, and the broadcast caught Gordon rolling her eyes and ridiculing the noise.
The moment was welcomed with laughs and admiration in New Zealand, despite it being at odds with our stereotypically humble, emotionless sporting archetype. It is a sign that fans are crying out for personality from our athletes. Young Kiwis pounce on anything funny or unique, because it makes their heroes more relatable. Netball’s governors should strongly promote these personal moments and characters, because they attract more casual supporters.
Silver Fern Maddy Gordon openly mocked the Australian crowd for booing in the third Constellation Cup test in Sydney. GIF / Sky Sport
Winner: Peta Toeava
The Northern Mystics wing attack had a question mark hanging over her ability to convert hot domestic form into the test arena. Toeava silenced those doubters. Given opportunities in tests two and four, the midcourter showcased her deadly connection with Nweke. One long-range feed from deep in the centre third late in the fourth test was utterly ridiculous. Toeava’s speed is her point of difference, but in test two, she slowed the game down when necessary to allow the Ferns’ attack to find rhythm. Her previous test appearances looked nervy, but the hallmark of Toeava’s Constellation Cup was the kind of calm which only comes with experience.
Peta Toeava looked composed in her two Constellation Cup outings. Photo / Photosport
Loser, but then a winner: Stacey Marinkovich
There is no doubting the Diamonds coach was under pressure after managing only a bronze at the Commonwealth Games, and that pressure ramped up exponentially after losing the first three tests. Marinkovich paid the price for refusing to rotate her squad sufficiently during the pool stage in Glasgow, and came into the Constellation Cup unsure of her best line-up.
Australia’s frequent changes in tests one and two hampered their ability to find rhythm, and this was worsened by a string of injuries. However, by the fourth test, she had clocked it. Marinkovich settled on her best seven and stuck with them for 60 minutes in Melbourne. Horjus was a revelation at goal attack, and Jessie Grenvold and Courtney Bruce look to be the Diamonds’ best defensive circle.
Australian Diamonds head coach Stacey Marinkovich settled on her best line-up by the final test in Melbourne. Photo / Photosport
It puts Australia in a much stronger position before next year’s World Cup in Sydney. With limited opportunity to prepare, it was paramount that Marinkovich figured out her best combinations.
A Question: Do the Silver Ferns have enough shooting depth?
While Grace Nweke is probably the most dominant shooter in the world, the Silver Ferns are scarily dependent on her. A devastating ACL injury to Nweke at the 2023 World Cup exposed New Zealand’s lack of depth, as they struggled to get the ball to the post. With the tournament in Sydney just 10 months away, the question has to be asked if the Ferns can realistically win without her.
Were Nweke to get injured during Super Netball or early in the Cup, who steps up to the plate? At the moment, that looks to be Amelia Walmsley. The 22-year-old had a few minutes off the bench at goal shoot in test four, but has otherwise been used at goal attack.
Amelia Walmsley is the go-to goal shoot in the absence of Grace Nweke. Photo / Photosport
At this stage, Walmsley is not as used to the physicality of the Australian style that Nweke combats so efficiently. However, a season at the Melbourne Vixens in Super Netball should be superb exposure and a chance to develop into the mould of a test shooter.
Te Paea Selby-Rickit could move into goal shoot if needed, while Martina Salmon and Aliyah Dunn are also waiting in the wings. Nweke is by far the strongest option, and coach Dame Noeline Taurua has her work cut out for her to cover for a potential crisis should the incumbent get hurt.
Nathan Limm has been a journalist with Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald since 2020. He covered the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023, hosts The Big League Podcast and comments on rugby and netball for Newstalk ZB Sport.